by Leah Justice

leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

What is referred to by law enforcement as a red phosphorous, or “Red P” methamphetamine laboratory was discovered Thursday night in the heavy residential area of Hidden Hill Road in Tryon. The home is located within 1,000 ft. of Tryon Elementary School.

This is the first “Red P” lab found in Polk County in at least the last several years and is only the fifth of its kind discovered in the state of North Carolina this year.

“Red P” labs take more time and are different from the more common “shake and bake” method, according to Det. BJ Bayne with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The lab contains phosphine gas, which is highly hazardous and can cause respiratory problems and death, according to the sheriff’s office.

The lab was discovered Thursday, Oct. 23 where a man, woman, 10-year old boy, a cat and two pet rats were living.

Timothy Lee Bryson, of 241 Hidden Hill Road, Tryon was arrested and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, possession/distribute methamphetamine precursor, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place for a controlled substance and maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place for a controlled substance within 1,000 ft. of a school, according to sheriff reports.

Timothy Bryson

The child was transported Thursday night to Mission Hospital to be evaluated, with the department of social services being called.

All persons and pets were decontaminated on scene before being transported elsewhere.

The pets were transported to Bonnie Brae Veterinary Clinic on Friday to be evaluated.

The investigation began after concerns from residents were made to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, which worked with the Tryon Police Department to make the discovery and arrest. The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) was called in with its clandestine lab unit to process the scene as well as an SBI lab chemist.

The SBI contracts with a hazardous waste company to destroy any chemicals discovered in the meth lab.

Polk County Sheriff Donald Hill said the lab is one of the larger meth labs Polk County has seen in a number of years. The exact size of the lab will not be known until the decontamination is complete. Employees of the SBI, sheriff’s office, Tryon Fire Department and Polk County EMS were on scene for the decontamination Friday.

“By working together with our local departments to combat this growing trend of drug use, we can make steps to ensure safer communities for our children and neighbors,” said Sheriff Hill.

Bryson was still being held Friday under a $146,000 bond. More charges are pending, according to the sheriff’s office.